May 25, 2017

Note to Graduates: When You’re CEO, Be Vulnerable

Two things worth keeping in mind for those about to launch careers: first, you may actually use some of that required coursework from college that you can’t imagine you ever will; and second, showing your vulnerability when you’re CEO can make your business stronger.

Just ask Lois Melbourne, who now heads a foundation that helps young people decide on careers. But that’s her second act. Her first was as a software entrepreneur back in 1994, when both “software” and “entrepreneur” were almost exotic. Lois launched a website for her business in 1995, and marveled at how companies all over the world could find her. Plus, they all communicated in English…at least, on the surface.

That was good for Lois, who grew up in southern Missouri and jokes that she and her brother are bilingual because “we speak hillbilly and English.” At Missouri State, Lois took the requisite one year of another language. She chose French over Spanish because “I thought it was more romantic.” But she didn’t think she’d ever actually use it.

Still, she knew enough from taking that class to realize that if she wanted to grow her business internationally, she would need some serious bilingual chops.

Lois’s solution was not what you might expect—she did not become proficient in speaking French, even though she was adept at reading it. Moreover, her solution made her vulnerable in the eyes of her clients. And that turned out to be one of the best executive decisions this CEO made.

Find out how Lois made her company international in voice as well as reach, in Episode 5 of the America the Bilingual podcast.